Conditions at Cote des Basques in December
December: The Climatological Peak of Consistency
December is statistically one of the best months for clean surf at Cote des Basques. The average swell is 5-6ft (1.7m), the average period is a strong 12.6 seconds, and the ideal wind window reaches its yearly maximum of 46 percent. The wave rose remains dominated by WNW at 40 percent and NW at 32 percent, with a notable W component and a healthy distribution stretching from 1m up to 2.5m. It is a winter month built on consistency: long-period groundswell pulses arrive every few days as low pressure systems march across the North Atlantic.
Wind patterns show a strong S and SSW component, which at Cote des Basques can produce the sheltered, cross-offshore quality needed when a big WNW swell fills in. However, the risk of W and WNW onshore wind is still present. With water temps down to 13.4°C and air temps averaging 9.9°C, the conditions are cold, raw and occasionally outstanding. Ask any local: December is when the Basque coast delivers its most reliable mix of power, period and shape.
Average Spot conditions at Cote des Basques in December
Swell history for December
Wind history for December
Swell quality
Analyze the groundswell consistency at Cote des Basques during December. Based on historical data, there is a % probability of groundswell occurring this month. The chart below provides a detailed breakdown of the average wave height distribution, offering deep insights into the swell quality and surf potential you can expect at Cote des Basques for your next trip in December.
Ground swell
Ground swell by size
Wind conditions
Evaluate the wind and swell alignment at Cote des Basques for December. Our analysis shows that favorable offshore or side-shore winds coincide with surfable swell approximately % of the time. The accompanying graph illustrates the average size distribution of waves during these optimal wind windows at Cote des Basques.